When you’re one of the world’s shortest individuals, navigating a culture designed for average-sized persons is difficult. As the cliche goes, the best things come in tiny packages. In 1810, Calvin Phillips (USA, b. 1791) was 67 cm (26.5 in) tall and weighed 5.4 kg (12 lb). As a result, he holds the record for being the world’s shortest man. Calvin was born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, weighing only 907 grams (2 lb). He stopped growing at the age of five. Shortly after his death in April 1812, at the age of 21, he was measured at 69.9 cm (27.5 in). Calvin’s record was not broken until 1990, more than 180 years later.
Princess Pauline is the world’s shortest woman. Pauline Musters (Netherlands, 1876) holds the record for being the world’s shortest woman. She was measured in 1895 and found to be 59 cm tall (23.2 in). She was 30 cm (12 in) tall at birth and barely 55 cm (21.5 in) tall and weighed 1.5 kg when she was nine years small (3 lb 5 oz). Pauline have a natural ability to act. Princess Pauline’s size captivated viewers at first, but she swiftly earned a reputation for her gymnastics and dancing. She went on a European tour before coming to New York City to perform in front of enormous audiences. Pauline died in 1895 at the age of 19 from pneumonia. She measured 61 cm after death due to severe elongation.
